TORONTO, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Aboriginal
Business (CCAB) and Sodexo Canada are pleased to announce that this
year's recipient of the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is
Eric Newell. Mr. Newell's career began with Imperial Oil before
becoming President and CEO of Syncrude in 1989, retiring in 2003.

Eric Newell's expansive career of over 35 years set a trend for working
with the Aboriginal Community. After his tenure with Imperial, his
leadership of Syncrude helped them to not only become a major player in
the oil industry but also helped them to develop policies that
reflected leading practices in corporate social responsibility;
spearheading several education and community development initiatives
that produced recognizable results and became the model across
industries.

"Over the years at Syncrude, we worked closely with many successful
Aboriginal entrepreneurs to create businesses that have served as a
model for all of Canada," explains Dr. Newell. "Recognition by the
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business is truly an honour that I
share with my Syncrude management team and our many Aboriginal business
partners and friends. Our success has been an inspiration for others
and that is perhaps the most significant reward of all."

Sodexo Canada is pleased to partner with CCAB to create an award that
recognizes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders, who have championed
positive change for the Aboriginal community through business. Dean
Johnson, President of Sodexo Canada, says, "Choosing from the many
nominees was no easy task, but Eric Newell's work in recognizing the
need to involve the Aboriginal community in Canadian business
exemplifies leadership in Aboriginal relations and sets the standard
for other companies."

"Eric's efforts helped Syncrude become one of the largest employers of
Aboriginal people across Canada," says Clint Davis, President and CEO
of CCAB. "Even after retirement he continues to promote and work with
the Aboriginal community. CCAB measures the value of nominees in not
what they've done, but in what they continue to do."

The Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is presented to a
Canadian who has personally contributed, through his or her
professional and voluntary commitments, to building bridges between
Aboriginal people and Canada's business community. The recipient of the
award is selected by a jury of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business
leaders. Mr. Newell will be presented the award at the CCAB's 10th annual Vancouver Gala on September 27, 2012.

For more information about the CCAB and an overview of the Award for
Excellence, visit www.ccab.com

About the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded in 1984
by a small group of visionary business and community leaders led by
Murray Koffler. CCAB is committed to the full participation of
Aboriginal people in Canada's economy. A national non-profit
organization, CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to both
mainstream and Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic
opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses across Canada.

About Sodexo in Canada
Sodexo Canada has been delivering On-Site Service Solutions to clients
in the Healthcare, Education, Business & Industry, and Remote Sites
sectors for over 40 years. Today, Sodexo provide services at nearly 750
sites for more than 230 clients across Canada. The company's 10,000
employees work together to improve the Quality of Life for their
customers by designing, managing, and delivering a wide range of
On-Site Service Solutions -- from project management to energy
planning, from technical building maintenance to concierge services,
from housekeeping to fitness centre management, and from catering and
foodservices to clinical technology management. Sodexo Canada is proud
to have created the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable
organization that has donated more than 750,000 meals to at risk youth
in Canada since it was founded in 2001. Follow us on Twitter @SodexoCanada